[TusharK]

According to data released by the Delhi Traffic Police, drunk driving cases increased by 22% this year compared to the previous year.



Between January 1 and March 31, 2024, the police prosecuted 6,591 drivers for drinking and driving. During the same period last year, the city recorded 5,384 cases of drunk driving. In 2022, this figure was just 399.

The highest number of violations were recorded in West Delhi’s Rajouri Garden. 333 drivers were challaned for drunk driving in the last 3 months. 252 cases were registered in Samaypur Badli. Mehrauli recorded the third highest cases at 240, followed by Karol Bagh and Rohini at 235 cases each.

Drivers are prosecuted under section 185 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, if their blood alcohol content is more than 30 grams per 100 ml of blood.

Source: ET Auto

Link to Team-BHP news

[Rohitthebest]

This is insane.
Going by the above calculation of 30 grams per 100 ml of blood.
One needs to have what? 1200 ML of Alcohol in his / her blood, going by an average of 4-5L blood per adult.
That's like almost one and a half bottle of single malt?

[Shreyans_Jain]

I am curious as to what the law says about the reliability of the data coming from these breath analysers, and what kind of provisions there are to ensure its integrity. It is true that drinking and driving is a most serious offence and a real menace during holidays and wedding season. But one has to question how often does the equipment throw up false positives, and if it is open to manipulation by unscrupulous cops out to make a quick buck or meet a target. Can the numbers being shown on the breath analysers be challenged?

[NomadSK]

Strict enforcement of the law is the only way to curb this meance, I remember few years back, the strictness from the cops in Mumbai was so severe that hardly anyone dared to drink and drive. The cops and administration were on thier heels to catch all wrongdoers. I don't know whats the status now.

People used to rent drivers while going out or went out with cabs/public transport.

Originally Posted by Rohitthebest

Going by the above calculation of 30 grams per 100 ml of blood.

It's 0.03% per 100mL of blood, thats 0.03mg. (Blood density is almost same as water)

[TorquePull]

Originally Posted by TusharK

According to data released by the Delhi Traffic Police, drunk driving cases increased by 22% this year compared to the previous year.

How much is the fine for drunk driving in Delhi? If we go by TN's 10,000rs fine, that is a lot of cases. But then, I would also question the credibility of these devices, as they can be manipulated, from a case in Chennai in which a guy who didn't drink was charged with drunk driving.

[blueberry]

Originally Posted by Shreyans_Jain

I am curious as to what the law says about the reliability of the data coming from these breath analysers, and what kind of provisions there are to ensure its integrity.
Can the numbers being shown on the breath analysers be challenged?

Breath analysers are a quick and painless way for authorities to get an estimate of rough blood alcohol level.
Cops are supposed to take the drunk drivers to a Government hospital for a blood test immediately afterwards, before they are formally charged and FIR is filed.

The blood test is an accurate measurement and stands in the court of law.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

Strict enforcement of the law is the only way to curb this meance, I remember few years back, the strictness from the cops in Mumbai was so severe that hardly anyone dared to drink and drive.

Bingo . Strict, ruthless enforcement is the single & only solution. In Mumbai, if you are caught drinking & driving, the police used to straight send you for a night in jail (related thread (Drink and drive? Go straight to JAIL!)). Don't know the scene now.

Personally, after a night of partying, it's either my girl driving or a driver from DriveU (their DriveU Plus premium program always ensures A+ drivers).

[bedapudi6788]

Originally Posted by Rohitthebest

This is insane.
Going by the above calculation of 30 grams per 100 ml of blood.
One needs to have what? 1200 ML of Alcohol in his / her blood, going by an average of 4-5L blood per adult.
That's like almost one and a half bottle of single malt?

It is 30mg. 1200ml alochol if someone drinks, will kill them.

[saubi2299]

During COVID, drunk driving checks were halted completely. These checks were not that frequent in 2023 and that may be the reason for YoY increase.

[Redex]

The Indian Drink Driving Limit is 30 mg alcohol in 100ml blood.
For the "average" man the amounts listed below are the limit for how much you can drink without breaking the limit, for women the limit is nearly half of this amount.

That is approximately equivalent to :
Wine. 130 ml @ 13%
Lager. 450 ml @. 4.5%
Spirits. 55 ml. @. 40%
For the average man. This is not an "exact" science.

In The UK the limit is 80 mg alcohol per 100ml blood. Personally, I think the limit is too high and should be 50 mg or less.
There are many factors as regards the amount of alcohol absorbed by an individual and how long it takes to metabolise.
These include :
weight
age
assigned sex at birth
your metabolism
any medication you have taken
your stress levels
the type and strength of alcohol you have consumed.
Also, remember that it you drank a lot of alcohol last night you could still be over the drink drive limit the following morning.
The best option is not drinking at all if you intend to drive. If you want to drink get a taxi home. In the UK, we designate one of our party as a "non-drinking driver". The non drinker usually has his meal paid for by the rest of the party.

Data from the World Health Organisation suggests that drivers with between 20-50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood are three times more likely to die in a crash than those who have not consumed any alcohol

[@PetrolheadASH]

It is not only drunk driving cases. It seems that people have forgotten basic driving sense. People drive on the lane markers, use super high intensity lights that literally blind you. Dont get me started on the reel makers- those are the worst!

[BrakHorseBarhat]

Originally Posted by TusharK

According to data released by the Delhi Traffic Police, drunk driving cases increased by 22% this year compared to the previous year.

We have to keep in mind that this increase does not include people whom the breath analyzers were unable to catch and people who drink and drive during the day. (since there is no checking at that time)

As someone whose college had breath analyzers at the entry gate, I have witnessed countless people getting away with it and even gotten away myself on my graduation day despite being heavily drunk. (note there was no driving involved as we take cabs if we plan on drinking)

I believe eating or drinking anything can throw the analyzers off but even if you do not they aren't very efficient as I have not gotten caught despite having consumed alcohol less than 20 minutes prior on multiple occasions.

This is not to say that one should drink and drive because you are not only putting yourself at risk but also your co-passengers and other people on the road. People should take a cab or travel through public transport if they plan on drinking alcohol.